Colorado River water allocation policy is an extremely complicated field to navigate. That, in part, is why the Colorado River is known as the most litigated river in the world. But researchers, policymakers and water managers have taken a more collaborative approach in recent years. Those collaborations are made more critical by the increasing risk drought poses to the Lower Basin.
Colby Pellegrino is the Deputy General Manager of Resources for the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Las Vegas Valley Water District. In her current capacity, she is responsible for the management of the Water Authority’s water resource portfolio, which includes protecting Nevada’s interests and rights to Colorado River water through interstate negotiations, developing regional water conservation programs, managing groundwater resources, and water resource planning.

Colby Pellegrino speaks with Associate Professor Elizabeth Koebele.